The discussion was led (from left to right) by Pierre Jenny (moderator), Jean-Nicolas Aebischer, Joël Mesot, Katharina Fromm, Jerry Krattiger, Alain Berset and Marcel Dubey.

“It’s always a combination of talents that makes achievements possible.” Echoing the presentation by sailor Mathieu Gobet, the first person from Fribourg to take part in the Mini-Transat ocean race, Olivier Curty did not fail to make the connection with the notion of technology transfer. This topic was at the heart of the round table organized by the Fribourg Development Agency (FDA) on 31 August 2020 at the premises of the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR). “Risk-taking and bravery are the starting point for every adventure, whether maritime, human or economic. This is really the time to take the plunge,” added the Minister of Economic Affairs.

Building bridges

In the subsequent discussions, the participants made a strong case for technology transfer. Alain Berset and Marcel Dubey, industry representatives and CEOs of Polytype SA and CPAutomation SA respectively, used the newly established Motion Control Academy as an example. Created in collaboration with the HEIA-FR and Boschung SA (a third partner company), this complementary and interdisciplinary training offers students from traditional fields of study the opportunity to enrich their skills in robotics and mechatronics. “In addition to helping CPAutomation create the products of tomorrow, this project has enabled us to build bridges with the HEIA-FR in many different fields,” says Marcel Dubey.

Change of culture

For his part, Joël Mesot, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), emphasized the change of culture that is currently taking place in our country. More and more students want to develop their own start-ups. With good supervision and support at an early stage, many projects have now been successfully completed. “It’s gratifying, because these start-ups represent part of the future of our economy”. While praising the Swiss education system, Joël Mesot also welcomed the growing interest of investors in Swiss start-ups. “We are catching up with countries of a similar size, such as Israel, which are often seen as a role model.” Joël Mesot also spoke in favor of creating a national financing fund to prevent the relocation of young companies.

Fribourg in an ideal location

Katharina Fromm, Vice-Rector of the University of Fribourg in charge of research and innovation, and Jean-Nicolas Aebischer, Director of the HEIA-FR, promised to intensify collaboration with industry, of course, but also between higher education institutions. At the Swiss level, it is probably only in Fribourg that such an academic concentration can be found “across the street”: the HEIA-FR, the Faculty of Science and Medicine, the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences and Management, the School of Management of Fribourg and the Fribourg branch of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). An ideal location!

A role as a catalyst

In several speeches, Jerry Krattiger, Director of FDA, recalled the role of facilitator and catalyst that his department must play, through the framework conditions put in place. “Clusters make it possible, for example, to revitalize entire ecosystems. There is a clear desire on the part of the State to support the key sectors of the Fribourg economy”. This willingness is also reflected in massive investments in innovation infrastructure. “The canton wants to do well. In terms of technology transfer, we have assets to exploit and are in the process of concentrating them. So let’s go for it, let’s take the plunge!”